Players in the Browns locker room say they will not change the way they play defense in the aftermath of Tashaun Gipson being penalized Sunday for what officials said was leading with his helmet on the play that injured Packers tight end Jermichael Finley.
Officials ruled Finley was in a defenseless position when hit by Gipson and applied the following rule in their decision, according to a source: Rule 12, Section 2, Article 7 (a) (2): Players in a Defenseless Posture
“A receiver attempting to catch a pass; or who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player.”
Replays show Gipson did not initiate a helmet-to-helmet collision. Gipson led with his left shoulder and did collide with Finley’s yellow helmet, but Gipson’s helmet was clear of contact.
Finley was removed from the field on a stretcher, placed on the back of an equipment cart and taken to the hospital by ambulance. He remained hospitalized Monday.
“It’s unfortunate he got hurt,” cornerback Buster Skrine said. “It’s supposed to be a legal hit. We’re not worried about any calls being called. We’re just out there playing every snap. Whatever happens, happens, but we’re not a cheap-shot team.”
The play occurred with 10:03 to play and the Browns trailing, 17-6. The pass from Aaron Rodgers to Finley gained 10 yards. Finley took two or three steps after the catch and lowered his head as Gipson bent to make the tackle. Finley lost the ball as contact was made.
Browns coach Rob Chudzinski wanted to challenge the ruling on the field, claiming Finley fumbled, but he was told he could not challenge because of the penalty.
Chudzinski did not rip the officials for the call, but he disagreed with it.
“I think they’re doing everything from their perspective to keep the game safe,” Chudzinski said. “From my standpoint and looking at it, I felt like he led with his shoulder. We’ll submit it (to the league) so we can coach our guys better and get an interpretation on it.”
Linebacker Quentin Groves was penalized for roughing the passer in the Detroit game. He got some vindication when the league did not fine him. Usually a fine comes with a roughing-the-passer penalty.Roster move
The Browns cut defensive back Julian Posey and added cornerback Jordan Poyer to the roster after claiming him from on waivers from the Eagles.
Poyer, 6-0, 191-pounds, is in his rookie season out of Oregon State. He was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round (218th overall). He appeared in three games and registered two tackles on defense and one on special teams.Groves confident
Groves had to leave the game in Green Bay with a left ankle injury and did not return. It is the same ankle that prevented him from playing against the Vikings, Bengals and Bills but he is unsure whether the most recent is the same injury or a different one.
“With ankles if you feel good, you feel good,” Groves said. “Once you can go, you can go. I listed to the trainers and the coaches. God willing, I’ll be back (for Kansas City on Sunday).”
Groves made one special teams tackle Sunday.No pound on ground
The Browns have rushed for 604 yards in seven games. Leading rusher Willis McGahee has carried the ball 70 times for 203 yards — a 2.9 average. His backup is Fozzy Whittaker. Whittaker has five carries for 11 yards.
McGahee has the Browns’ only rushing touchdown. The Rams have no rushing touchdowns and the Buccaneers have one.